Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/4/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 3      Race overview:  A solid field of 10k claimers sprinting 6Fs on the main.       Pace:  It looks hot and contested, as more than a few want to go early, with just as many wanting to keep them honest.      Trends:  The main track has been on the fair side all meet, tough as a general rule, you want to have tactical speed sprinting, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best Play:  #7 TURNSANDCONDITIONS (6-1): Stiff class dropper has been facing…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/3/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 1      Race overview:  An NYB MSW for 2yos routing 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf, with several decent prospects and names to remember down the line.       Pace:  It’s a two-turn turf route, with a quick run to a first turn that most of these have never seen before, so things can get quick in a hurry.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm, giving, and OFF, so it’s tough to discern anything, though when it’s on the firm side,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/2/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 8      Race overview:  A strong renewal of the restricted De La Rose for fillies and mares going 1-mile on the inner turf.       Pace:  It’s turf racing in New York in 2023, so who the heck knows, but on paper it’s a pace that looks honest and contested, as you know #2 Evvie Jets (9-2) is going, #5 Technical Analysis (9-5) pressed her last time, and #6 Regal Realm (5-1) is no slouch early either.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm,…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/30/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 7      Race overview:  A stakes-caliber AOC for 3up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.        Pace:  It looks honest, as there are a few who want to be involved early, which should tilt this towards a first-run stalker.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm, giving, and OFF, so it’s tough to discern anything, though when it’s on the firm side, you need to be close early on, as making up significant ground isn’t easy.       Best Play:  #2…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau     Date:  7/29/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 3      Race overview:  A deep and competitive 35k N2L sprinting 5 ½ Fs on the Mellon turf.       Pace:  It’s a turf sprint, so there will be some heat, but it also looks like #3 HATCH (8-1) could be the speed of the speed.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm, giving, and OFF, so it’s tough to discern anything, though when it’s on the firm side, you need to be close early on, as making up significant ground isn’t easy.      …

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/26/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 7      Race overview:  A graded stakes caliber AOC for 3up sprinting 5 ½ Fs on the turf.       Pace:  For a full field of turf sprinters, especially this kind, there’s not an abundance of early speed, which means you should be close early.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm, giving, and OFF, so it’s tough to discern anything, though when it’s on the firm side, you need to be close early on, as making up significant ground isn’t easy.   …

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/22/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 5      Race overview:  A modest N1X sprinting 7Fs on the main for f/ms.       Pace:  On paper there’s not a ton here, though the inside few want to be involved, which means they could hook up early and often.      Trends:  Tactical speed always plays on the main, though at this 7F trip, speed is more apt to come back a bit.       Best Play:  #6 HUNTRESS FOR HIRE (3-1): Rousing MSW winner comes in with a world of confidence after finally breaking…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/21/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 10      Race overview:  A deep and competitive field of NYB MSWs going 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon turf.       Pace:  It’s a bit muddles, as there are some firsters, along with stretch out sprinters, which suggests it could be honest.      Trends:  Tactical speed will always play on the turf, as it’s often tough to make up significant ground.       Best Play:  #3 MISSION HILL (12-1) (turf only): Mott runner was an even 6th turn sprinting on debut at Belmont, for a barn…